POS0375 EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IN TELECONSULTATION DURING THE FIRST WAVE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: J. Avouac, A. Moltó, C. Frantz, S. Wanono, E. Descamps, O. Fogel, A. Combier, L. Poiroux, C. Miceli Richard, Y. Allanore
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background The sudden emergence of SARS-CoV-2 onto the world stage has accelerated a major change in the management of patients with chronic rheumatic diseases and has catalyzed the rapid emergence of telemedicine. Objectives Our aim was to describe which parameters were used by rheumatologists to monitor patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in teleconsultation during the first wave of the pandemic and identify the most relevant for decision making. Methods Retrospective monocentric routine care cross-sectional study including RA patients seen in teleconsultation between March and September 2020. Available parameters assessing disease status were collected in teleconsultation files. Clinician intervention was defined by treatment escalation and/or the need for a rapid face-to-face consultation or day hospitalization. Results 143 RA patients were included (117 females, mean age of 58±16 years, mean disease duration of 14±11 years). The presence or absence of patient self-reported RA flares was mentioned in all medical files, followed by the presence and/or the number of tender joints (76%), the duration of morning stiffness (66%), the number of pain-related nocturnal awakenings (66%) and the CRP value (54%). Patient self-reported RA flares concerned 43/143 patients (30%). The presence of self-reported RA flares was associated with a more detailed evaluation of patient in teleconsultation: The presence (or number) of tender joints and swollen joints were more significantly reported in patients who presented a flare (39/43, 91% vs. 70/100, 70%, p=0.008 and 25/43, 58% vs. 23/100, 23%, p&lt;0.001, respectively). Teleconsultation led to a clinician intervention in 22/143 patients (14%), representing 51% of patients with self-reported flares (22/43 patients). Therapeutic escalation was necessary in 13 patients: introduction or dose increase of corticosteroids in 8 patients, introduction or dose increase of methotrexate in 4 patients and introduction of hydroxychloroquine in 1 patient. Face-to-face consultation or day hospitalization were organized for 10 patients. Active disease was confirmed during this next face-to-face visit in 9 patients, with DAS28 ranging from 3.35 to 5.62, leading to therapeutic modification. The 133 other patients were seen in face-to-face consultation 6±2 months after the teleconsultation. No DMARD modification was recorded during this next face-to-face consultation. The following variables were associated with clinician intervention during the teleconsultation in univariate analysis: patient self-reported RA flares since the last visit (p&lt;0.001), CRP &gt;10 mg/mL (p=0.012) and a morning stiffness &gt; 30 minutes (p&lt;0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed RA flares (Odds Ratio, OR: 15.6 95% CI 3.37-68.28) and CRP values &gt;10 mg/L (OR: 3.32, 95% CI % 1.12-13.27) as the variables independently associated with clinician intervention. Conclusion Our study identified patient reported RA flares and increased CRP values as 2 red flags in teleconsultation, independently associated with therapeutic modification and/or the need for a rapid face-to-face consultation. These indicators may help clinician’s decision making in teleconsultation. Disclosure of Interests Jerôme Avouac Speakers bureau: Bristol Myers Squibb, SANOFI, galapagos, Lilly, Abbvie, Pfizer, Novartis, Biogen, Fresenius Kabi, Janssen, MSD, Roche-Chugai, Medac, Consultant of: galapagos, Abbvie, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, SANOFI, Nordic-Pharma, Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer (Passerelle), Novartis (Dreamer), Fresenius Kabi, Anna Moltó: None declared, CAMELIA FRANTZ: None declared, Sarah Wanono: None declared, Elise Descamps: None declared, Olivier Fogel: None declared, Alice Combier: None declared, Lucile Poiroux: None declared, Corinne Miceli Richard: None declared, Yannick Allanore: None declared